By John Schaffner

We mentioned this a couple of weeks ago and it appears to have made it to fruition. Gannett Newspapers, owners of the Port Clinton News Herald and the Fremont News Messenger, has been sold to the parent company of Gatehouse Media, Inc. I am uncertain what this will actually mean for the future of these local papers. Just about all of the papers previously owned by Gannett have moved strongly into a digital (online) publication strategy. Stay tuned.

“Boats, Brushes and Beer” is a big event coming up this Saturday, Aug. 10 at Skipper Bud’s on SR 163 in Marblehead from 6-10 p.m. The event is hosted by the Port Clinton Arts Council and will feature art, live music, plenty of food and lots of fun. There will be a silent auction of boat themed paintings and sculptures along with other nautical equipment refurbished by hand.

They will also feature gift baskets donated by numerous local businesses. The event offers only two ticket levels. Only 50 of the $100 tickets are available. Each $100 ticket owner will have the chance to choose a piece of unsigned original artwork. The $50 event tickets will also provide two drink tickets, hors d’oeuvres and entertainment. To purchase tickets, contact event chairman Josh Zetzer at 419-341-3045 or joshzetzer@gmail.com.

Voting has officially begun for the 2019 “Best of the Best” of Ottawa County, hosted annually by The Beacon. The ballot is posted in The Beacon as well as online at www.thebeacon.net.

Ellen Rampton of Aurora, Ohio is our winner this week in our “Find Wylie” contest. She was chosen from among 110 entries who successfully found our friendly fish hidden inside the ad for S&H Blinds on Page 5A in The Beacon last week. Ellen wins a $25 gas card graciously donated by Friendship Stores. Each week we hide Wylie Walleye in an ad and our readers, when one of them finds him, can either bring in a contest entry cut out of the paper or log onto our website … www.thebeacon.net … and let us know where he is, thus entering, and possibly winning the contest.

Port Clinton High School Marching Band Alumni are invited to dust off their horns and drumsticks and join in the fun of the Annual Alumni Band Night, performing with the PCHS Marching Band at halftime of the football game vs. Bellevue on Aug. 30. To get involved, visit the School District’s website at www.pccsd.net and find the link to online registration under the “News” section or Alumni link.

There will be a benefit Chicken Barbecue hosted by the Port Clinton Fire Fighters Association this Sunday, Aug. 11, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Fire Station on State Street. Each meal will be $10. Dine-in or Drive-through for carryout. Tickets at the door will be limited, it is recommended to purchase tickets ahead of time by calling the PCFD at 419-734-3430.

David Yarnell will be the featured performer at the Adams Street Gazebo this Friday from 6-7:30 p.m. This is the regularly scheduled RiverfrontLive! event sponsored by Main Street Port Clinton that had to be moved due to high water issues.

Families of children ages 0-3 who live in Ottawa County are invited to join in for a family fun event on Wednesday, Aug 14. Dress in play clothes, bring a towel and have lots of fun finding hidden objects in ice…all while getting wet! Afterwards, the kids can enjoy a popsicle to cool off. The event will take place at the shelter house at Lakeview Park in Port Clinton. RSVP to Colleen at 567-262-3108 by Aug 9.

The 3rd Annual Port Clinton Lighthouse and Maritime Festival will be held on Saturday, Aug. 17 from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Waterworks property just east of Port Clinton. There will be entertainment and refreshments all day plus many other events including “Historical Talks” starting at noon.

Magruder Hospital will host the monthly Alzheimer’s Support Group on Monday, Aug. 12 at 9 a.m. in the Conference Center. Meeting on the second Monday of each month, the group provides helpful tips, education, encouragement and resources to family, friends and caregivers of anyone dealing with dementia and memory loss. For more information about this program as well as other support groups, events and screenings, go to www.magruderhospital.com and click on the events calendar.

Also, the Magruder Hospital Foundation is pleased to present Grapes & Grains – A celebration of Food & Spirits on Thursday, Sept. 26, at the Catawba Island Club. The event will take place in the CIC pavilion from 5:30 to 8:30 pm. Entertainment for the event will be provided by Corduroy Road. Enjoy dinner stations with specially selected food pairings created by Catawba Island Club’s Chef Addison and spirits from Bait House Brewery, Catawba Island Brewing, Firelands Winery, Put-in Bay Brewery & Distillery and Twin Oast Brewery.

Proceeds from the event will be used to benefit the Employee Giving Campaign Paved Walking Trail Project. Tickets can be purchased at magruderhospitalfoundation.eventbrite.com.  Cost of the event is $75 person or $125 per couple.  Attendees must be 21 years of age. For more information, contact Magruder Director of Development at 419-734-3131 ext 3147 or mmueller@magruderhospital.com.

Your new Mobile App is available for you use! It is called “Lake Erie Coastlines” and it’s FREE! Just download it on your iPhone or Android device from the App Store. It is chock full of useful information on local events, things to do and places to go. “Lake Erie Coastlines” … enjoy!